Wadena in Wadena County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Peterson-Biddick Company
1910-1986
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 5, 2023
1. Peterson-Biddick Company Marker
established in 1910
by John F. Peterson and Daniel Biddick.
It was a wholesale and retail company selling produce, potatoes, eggs, poultry and feed; it also produced and sold Funk’s hybrid seed. J. Harold Peterson became the owner in 1943, and the business operated until 1986. The company owned plants in Crookston, Thief River Falls, Detroit Lakes, MN; Jamestown, ND; and Carroll, IA. It also had retail stores in many small towns from Wadena to the Canadian border. The company owned twelve turkey farms in Wadena County and raised 750,000 turkeys per year. When the company was sold in 1986, this Peterson-Biddick plant closed.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.
Location. 46° 26.449′ N, 95° 8.107′ W. Marker is in Wadena, Minnesota, in Wadena County. Marker is on 1st Street Southeast just north of Aldrich Avenue Southeast, on the right when traveling north. The marker is the centerpiece of a small plaza overlooking the former Peterson-Biddick Company complex site to the east. Touch for map. Marker is
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Northern Pacific Passenger Depot (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Red River Trail (approx. ¾ mile away).
Regarding Peterson-Biddick Company. National Register of Historic Places #88003227.
From the National Register Nomination:
The Peterson-Biddick Seed and Feed Company consists of four brick buildings and an assortment of grain storage structures erected between 1916-1936 located at the corner of Aldrich Ave. and 1st St. S.E. immediately south of the Northern Pacific (presently Burlington Northern) Railroad tracks in the west-central Minnesota county seat of Wadena.
In 1916 Peterson contracted with local builder N.O. Nelson to construct a two-story brick building on Aldrich Ave. fronting on the Northern Pacific line, prompting the Wadena Pioneer Journal to suggest that "the growth of this concern has been nothing short of remarkable..." The Peterson-Biddick building was one of many construction projects in Wadena at the time; a new Northern Pacific passenger depot, a county sanitarium, and several public and commercial buildings erected in 1916 reflected a dramatic period of growth and development in the city.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 5, 20232. Peterson-Biddick Company Marker(looking southeast from 1st Street Southeast)
The remaining 1935 1-story warehouse addition is visible across Aldrich Avenue on the far right.From Wikipedia: Complex built 1916–1936 of a small wholesaling business that grew into one of Minnesota's largest independent agricultural companies. Demolished except for a c. 1935 warehouse addition.
Warehouse addition: In ca.1935 the company enlarged the warehouse with a large, square, one-story addition attached to the east wall. Built of red tile brick, this addition has two garage doors, and multiple entries and windows on the north facade, with numerous openings on the east and south elevations.
Also see . . .
1. Peterson-Biddick Seed & Feed Company.
Sole remaining building of the Peterson-Biddick Seed & Feed Company, 102 SE. Aldrich Ave, Wadena, Minnesota, USA. The rest of the complex has been demolished. Viewed from the north.(Submitted on September 28, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. National Register of Historic Places Nomination. (Submitted on September 28, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 86 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 28, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
